Cryogenic Meter Cooling Using Reverse Flow Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cryogenic meters face challenges in maintaining accurate measurements and preventing contamination due to the need for regular cooling and the inability to differentiate between reverse flow and recirculation flow, leading to potential pressure issues and inaccuracies.

Innovation Solution

A system with valves and a controller that manages the flow of fluids, including a cooling liquid, to cool the meter and prevent contamination by ensuring the pressure within the meter remains above a threshold, and allows for reverse flow detection to differentiate between recirculation and dispensing flows, using a coriolis meter that measures fluid properties and controls valve operations based on measured properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the meter is cooled regularly to maintain accurate measurements, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the risk of contamination and pressure issues increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidcontamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system reverses the flow direction through the meter to perform cooling. By detecting reverse flow and redirecting the coolant through the meter in reverse direction, the system achieves cooling without requiring separate cooling infrastructure, thereby reducing contamination risk while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

A flow detection mechanism acts as an intermediary to monitor flow direction and trigger appropriate valve operations. This intermediary system ensures that cooling operations are properly controlled and differentiated from normal measurement operations, preventing contamination while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the system uses reverse flow to cool the meter, then cooling efficiency is improved, but the ability to differentiate between reverse flow and recirculation flow becomes challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidflow direction differentiation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses flow direction detection mechanisms that can distinguish between reverse flow (for cooling) and recirculation flow (for measurement). By implementing detection capabilities that identify flow direction, the system can differentiate between these two operational modes despite both involving fluid movement through the meter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Speed

If the dispense valve opens quickly to dispense fluid, then dispensing speed is improved, but pressure exceeds threshold values creating hazardous conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedispensing speedVSAvoidpressure hazards

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The dispense valve operation is made dynamic and adaptive. The valve opening speed is automatically adjusted based on real-time pressure measurements. When pressure approaches threshold values, the valve opening speed is reduced; when pressure is within safe ranges, the valve can open more quickly. This dynamic control maintains high dispensing speed while preventing pressure hazards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A feedback mechanism continuously monitors pressure levels and adjusts valve operation accordingly. The system uses pressure sensor data to modulate the dispense valve opening, creating a closed-loop control system that prevents pressure from exceeding safe thresholds while maintaining efficient dispensing operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system effectively cools the meter, prevents contamination, and accurately measures fluid properties while ensuring safe operation by maintaining pressure above a threshold and differentiating flow directions, thus preventing inaccuracies and hazardous conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a cooling liquid can be transported from the outlet section to the inlet section through the tube in order to cool the meter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a coriolis meter that measures fluid properties and controls valve operations based on measured properties

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCoriolis effect: Coriolis Force

Data Source

PatentUS10288367B2Cooling of cryogenic meters sensing reverse flow

Publication Date: 2019.05.14 U S BANK TRUST CO NAT ASSOC AS THE NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT

AI summary

Cooling of a meter by liquid flowing in a flow that is reverse from dispensing flow is described. A plurality of tubes is configured to transport a plurality of fluids comprising a first fluid and a second fluid. Dispense valves attached to corresponding tubes are configured to open when the first fluid is dispensed from a pump to a first outlet. Recirculation valves attached to respective tubes are configured to open when the second fluid is transported from the pump to a second outlet. A meter attached to a tube of the plurality of tubes is configured to measure properties of a fluid when the fluid flows through the tube, wherein the fluid is one of the first fluid and the second fluid. The meter is configured to sense reverse flow when the second fluid flows from the outlet section to the inlet section.